Theresa May has announced plans to call a snap general election on June 8.

Announcing the proposal for the snap general election, she said Britain needs ‘certainty, stability and strong leadership’ following the EU referendum.

While it is clear this campaign will be more about leadership of the UK thorough the Brexit negotiation process than domestic issues such as housing health and education, the RLA will be working hard to ensure candidates are aware of the benefits of a strong private rented sector.

In addition to ongoing campaigns on tax, the right to rent scheme, rent control and landlord licensing, we have developed our own manifesto, along with 6 key evidence-based policy proposals that we believe will help to make renting better for all.

We are urging all members, landlords and agents to contact their candidates to raise concerns over the previous’ governments changes to the sector.

Don’t forget to vote.

Party Manifestos

Crack down on unfair practices in leasehold, such as escalating ground rents.

Look at how to increase security for good tenants and encouraging landlords to offer longer tenancies as standard.

Strengthen the enforcement of equalities law – so that private landlords and businesses who deny people a service on the basis of ethnicity, religion or gender are properly investigated and prosecuted.

Deliver the reforms proposed in the Housing White Paper to free up more land for new homes

Continue to support those struggling to buy or rent a home, including those living in a home owned by a housing association.

Reinstate housing benefit for under-21s, stop Local Authorities declaring young people “intentionally homeless”, and invest in community house-building projects to provide affordable, secure housing options for young people.

Introduce a “living rent” for all through rent controls and more secure tenancies for private renters,

Ban letting fees

Introduce mandatory licensing for all landlords.

Support the development of a renters’ union.

Roll out a major programme to build affordable, zero carbon homes, including 100,000 social rented homes each year by 2022.

End the Right to Buy.

Abolish the so called “bedroom tax.”

Take action to bring empty homes into use and trial a new Land Value Tax.

Help first-time buyers by aiming for house price stability – getting rid of buy-to-let ‘tax breaks’

• Access low interest government loans to buy up and renovate poor housing stock or empty commercial properties
• Issue compulsory purchase orders for poor quality houses in multiple occupation.
• Introduce minimum standards for properties in receipt of housing benefit.
• Refuse housing benefit payments to landlords in breach of planning legislation.
• Establish a Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to acquire primarily brownfield sites – at existing use value and through compulsory purchase if necessary – where affordable housing is required. The new homes could not be sold for private rent.
• Give tenants the right to request Housing Benefit is paid direct to their landlords, whatever benefit scheme they are on.
You can read the 2017 Manifesto in full here.

The 2017 Manifesto pledges for housing :

Rollout a nationwide scheme to make housing stock more energy efficient.

Secure compensation for those who have suffered from badly installed, government-backed cavity wall insulation.